'Yes' vote is giving D15 a blank check

We attended two District 15 referendum information meetings, hoping to hear clear objectives and supporting data that would justify voters approving $130 million for two new schools. Instead, we saw mostly a sales pitch for the total plan, which included closing Sanborn School, converting Jane Adams elementary to a middle school, and countless boundary changes - in addition to two new schools.

Did Superintendent Thompson present a calculated solution benefiting the entire district? Was it reached by objective problem-solving, based on actual data that was shared? Was there transparency and representative stakeholder input during the planning process? No!

It is clear that $130 million is only the beginning for District 15 taxpayers. It will take more than a new name to make Jane Addams a middle school; it will take more spending to address conditions the plan fails to solve in many schools.

Initially, we were told that all-day kindergarten would add $600,000 to annual expenses. Yet according to Dr. Thompson, the anticipated increase in annual cost for new staff is estimated at $1.3 million to $1.9 million.

District 15 residents dazzled by a new middle school or lulled by the administration's apparent willingness to accommodate their boundary protests should beware!

The district's estimated tax increase examples reflect only $130 million to build two new schools, NOT other expenses added after Nov. 8 (or the aftermath of the 10-year teachers' contract, sure to raise taxes in coming years).

In our opinion, a Yes vote equals taxpayers writing District 15 blank checks for years to come. Worse, it gives the district a green light to continue making significant decisions without transparency, board discussion, stakeholder input or regard for economic reality. Defeating this referendum is the first step in stopping the District 15 steamroller!

Ed & Becky Booth

Rolling Meadows